San Francisco Birthday Maritime Bonanza

For Brandon's birthday, we headed to San Francisco.  We stayed near Union Square - here's a foggy view from our hotel of the Starlight Room.

First we stopped by Fisherman's Wharf for a carousel ride.

Then, we took Paige and Jules to see the "pirate ships" at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The girls are obsessed with pirates, watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates religiously, and were thrilled to board the historical ships.

Still haven't been to Alcatraz Island, but I'm intrigued, especially after seeing it from our vantage point on the boats.

Our intrepid, stylish and faithful travel companion.

Coit Tower.

Rainy Chinatown

While in San Francisco, I had the brilliant idea of leisurely walking from Union Square to North Beach for brunch at Park Tavern via Chinatown.  With a little stop at the playground in this pretty little park. Brilliant, if it wasn't raining cats and dogs.

So we hopped through the puddles, trying to find sheltered spots to stay dry.

Brandon and I entertained the idea of living in a little apartment overlooking a park in San Francisco.

At least colors really pop in photographs when it's raining.

I like all the pink and green in Chinatown.

Wish I knew more about this building - the balcony is interesting.

We moved under awning to awning, scurrying across the streets.

The Oriental House of Beauty is getting a little faded.

Now it's really raining!

Paige and Jules were not happy in their stroller; hence, no pictures.  But the rest of us didn't mind.  My mom and Brandon endured my picture taking.  At the end of our damp walk, we were rewarded with a deliciously decadent brunch at Park Tavern with my cousins.

Disneyland Half-Marathon 2013

Not that we ran or walked it.  Nope, we were just there to cheer Grandma Rosemary on over Labor Day Weekend.  There she goes…

Then we hightailed it to Fantasyland via Main Street.

This is the closest the girls will get to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, after last year's debacle concerning Snow White's Scary Adventures.

Timothy and Dumbo are more in alignment with their idea of fun.  

Here we go!  We got the pink elephant Paige wanted to ride in.

My pony girl!

There's my other pony girl.

This was Paige's first time on the tea cups.  Natch, we chose a pink one.

And possibly Brandon's first time on the teacups.

This was definitely Dan's first time on the ladybugs.  And from all reports, probably his last.  This is a man who jumped out of airplanes as an Army ranger and who served as an Alaska State Trooper.  Taken down by a spinning ladybug.

Jules napped during this portion of the show.

Dan prudently chose to sit this ride out and watch Jules while she napped in her stroller.

By pure luck, we were able to watch the parade from this area, which is normally reserved for private parties.

Sofia the First!

A little trip to see some fairies and then we ended our day at Disneyland.